Stealing the Groom by Sonya Weiss

things simultaneously. The events of the night before, the stiffness in his muscles, and Amelia’s warmth snuggled against him. Her nearness shouldn’t disturb his peace of mind, but it did. And he couldn’t afford for it to affect him.
    How had things gotten so off track? One second, his life was running smoothly, right as planned, and the next, Amelia blew into town like a hurricane and utter chaos followed.
    She murmured in her sleep, shifting closer, and he stilled. Lately, it felt as if he were just now seeing her. She was one of the guys one minute…and a beautiful woman the next.
    He thought of the way she’d felt in his arms, and the desire to kiss her awake became a raging forest fire in him. He bit off a groan.
    Don’t be stupid.
    Nothing good could come of it, and if he didn’t get out of the cabin right now, he was going to cross a line he’d sworn never to cross.
    He eased up in the bed, careful not to disturb her, and swung one bare leg from beneath the blanket.
    His movement stirred her awake and she smiled up at him. If they weren’t opposites, if there wasn’t so much at stake…
    “You look deep in thought.” Amelia struggled to sit up while keeping the blanket tucked around her. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
    “Yeah. You want the bathroom first?”
    “You go ahead. I’m still trying to wake up.”
    Chad extracted himself from the blanket and grabbed his still-damp clothes. Dressing quickly, he headed into the bathroom. He felt the pocket of his pants and then remembered he didn’t have his day planner with him. No list to follow at the moment, nothing on the agenda except getting the hell out of Dodge. Once he was back in Sweet Creek, he might even find all this amusing. He thought of the limo. Of the whining he was going to hear from Claire. Then again, maybe amusing was a stretch.
    When he stepped out of the bathroom, Amelia was already dressed and there was a gleam in her eyes that he recognized.
    He held his hands up. “No, Amelia. I know what you’re thinking.”
    “One day. One completely unstructured day to prove that plans and schedules aren’t your ball and chain.”
    “And do what? Stay here?” His expression revealed what he thought of that.
    “Yes. I checked the pantry and there’s enough food for a couple of days. We both live pretty busy lives. This could be our last vacation together.”
    “But Claire…”
    “Trust me, she’s painted a bull’s-eye on your bank account. She’ll go through with the wedding whenever you schedule it.”
    “Our families…”
    “Know we’re together. You’re out of excuses.” She folded her arms. “I dare you to be spontaneous for at least twenty-four hours, to find the will to blow off everything but living in the moment.” She smirked. “I saw you swallow. Terrifies you, doesn’t it?”
    “No, it doesn’t. It’s not practical.”
    “Exactly. I’ll bet you can’t do it.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “And what do I get in return if I agree and win the dare?”
    “What do you want?”
    His gaze drifted over her and he swallowed again. “Uh…we can decide that afterward.”
    She held out her hand and he reluctantly shook it. “Then it’s a deal.” She beamed at him. “Twenty-four hours with no schedule, no rules. Anything goes.”
    He started unbuttoning his shirt, smiling when her mouth dropped open.
    “What are you doing?”
    “If anything goes, I’m going to look for something comfortable to wear. You in?”
    “I am so in.” She laughed and Chad marveled at how free she sounded. When was the last time the two of them had laughed together?
    In the closet, Chad found a pair of jeans that fit other than being too long. He rolled up the ends and then found an old sweatshirt. Once he changed, he called out to Amelia.
    Amelia located a pair of pants and disappeared into the bathroom. When she exited, she said. “Well, what do you think?”
    The men’s jeans she wore were tightly cinched at the waist with a belt.